Preservation Outside the Hall

In a state with as rich a musical history as Louisiana's, musicians are faced with an interesting challenge: How do you honor that past while making contemporary music? That question was at the heart of a panel discussion I moderated on Saturday, April 20 at the Acadiana Center for the Arts in Lafayette as part of the Louisiana Soundtrack Experience, The Louisiana Soundtrack Experience is a partnership between Lt.-Governor Jay Dardenne's office, the Louisiana Department of Cultural, Recreation & Tourism, The Oxford American, and it is a year-long exploration of the state's musical culture.

In Lafayette, we had a lineup of heavy hitters: folklorist Barry Ancelet, one of the founders of Festival Acadiens et Creoles; writer Herman Fuselier; Louis Michot from the Lost Bayou Ramblers; and Yvette Landry from Bonsoir, Catin and the Yvette Landry Band. When the panel was finished, we all felt like the conversation had said some valuable, so I approached the Lt.-Governor's office about using it as a podcast. They kindly agreed. Thanks to Blackbird Media for pulling the live audio from their video recording of the panel.

In addition to the conversation, this podcast includes music from The Lost Bayou Ramblers' Mammoth Waltz, The Mello Joy Boys' Une Tasse Café, Yvette Landry's new No Man's Land, and the collection of rock songs played by Cajun musicians, En Francais.

Barry Ancelet will interview members of Jambalaya Cajun Band on the Allison Miner Music Heritage Stage at Jazz Fest in New Orleans Saturday, April 27 at 2 p.m.

The Lost Bayou Ramblers play the Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do-Do Stage at Jazz Fest in New Orleans Saturday, April 27 at 2:35 p.m.

Herman Fuselier will interview Rockin' Dopsie Jr. on the Allison Miner Music Heritage Stage at Jazz Fest in New Orleans Friday, May 3 at 4:30 p.m.

Yvette Landry plays the Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do-Do Stage at Jazz Fest in New Orleans Saturday, May 4 at 1:30 p.m.